As a nation we have come through 5 years of world turmoil unscathed.
AU has low unemployment, and the forcast is for this to continue.
We have low inflation, and low interest rates.
Investment in our nation is gigantic and ongoing.
Labor has policy, and it has kept us from the ravaged that have overtaken much of the world.
2012 completed 23 years of consecutive growth.
All contributed to the strength and management of a Gillard and Swan team, which is recognized by world leaders
That would even be a tough ask for Turnbull to compete with.

China, the Aussie electorate, which I believe I knew six years ago, is a mystery to me these days.

Before I came to OLO, I spent my time on philosophy forums so the arguments were unpinned opinions. Coming here I found that facts are the currency....so I try to stick with them.

About wrong….I have been wrong and I have been right, so my opinions are a six to four bet in bookie terms.

So china when it comes to disecting the electorate and making a value judgement on the way the wind is blowing, I haven't got a clue....but I won't admit to that.....Paul.

579>> We have low inflation, and low interest rates.

Interest rates in the northern hemisphere are lower than ours, so ours are nothing to crow about.

>> Labor has policy, and it has kept us from the ravaged that have overtaken much of the world.<<

579, show me the GDP downturn that Labor reacted to and fixed….it never happened.

>> All contributed to the strength and management of a Gillard and Swan team, which is recognized by world leaders<<

Other than Blair and Obama who embraced the spend our way out of trouble policy, which world leaders complimented Swan on turning a $20 BILLION surplus into a $180 Billion debt…..who?....besides the thieving scheming bankers.

579 in your posts and inside you live great Labor traditions.
You must squirm at my every post.
I understand that, but we live in a time Labor and its fellow travelers need to address both needed change,and our internal problems.
Some recent events, not just for me, but my ex members who unlike you and I are not welded on Labor,has every truth, every lie,held at our party's throats like the sharpest of knives.
By now, if you have learned nothing else here, you will know the worst of our detractors, are not the average .
You are preaching to folk who do not want to hear, or even know,if it is true.
Not much, maybe one and a half percentage points, will separate us come election.
We, both my party and my movement, need to see very real acceptance of the very real brick walls, keeping us damned by many, Rudd,s removal, power brokers apparent ownership of the party.
And union filth HSU not mate the only truth, tragic truth, to emerge from UNIONS at sometime.
Remember we came to power via Kevin Rudd, with a reputation to confront.
That we could not be trusted with the economy.
Such is the current, truly held views of far more than we wish, Gillard is not to be trusted, that unions hid the HSU trash, we face even more in our path .
We must confront our wrongs, now before it is tool late, not standing in the wreckage of our party the day after the election.
In your battles with the TORYS HERE, REMEMBER THIS, BOTH YOU AND I NEVER BRANDED ALL LIBERALS FOOLS as they do us, showing a lack of understanding that is breathless.

Yes it had run its course.
But the poll results need airing.
See they are descriptive of what I said here.
Some , looking at those polls will see Labor has a chance.
Let me say, hopefully without the insulting reply s, I want and wish for a Labor Victory.
But reality has its hands around my throat.
Lets see what IMO those polls say.
Both leaders are unloved, by most Australians.
Women dislike Abbott
Men Gillard.
Both alternative leaders raised their profiles during the Christmas break.
Turnbull seemed to stall his mid stream, maybe he does not need to? or maybe the numbers are not there, yet.
Rudd is full on.
IF one side changes leaders?
And the other does not?
That side wins.
Get ready, the Baby kissing and two brand new leaders ,still Gillard and Abbott, the unloved twins,but in a form all brushed and polished for the long campaign folk we never saw before.
Both sides may be lead by others by election.
OR we must confront two disliked folk trying to convert us to their camps by, what an unfortunate fact.

Can you believe this, Abbott wants to talk economics, 4 years and nothing but crap and now he wants to talk about the welfare of AU.
Hard to believe that it can happen, no i will not believe it.
Foot in mouth syndrome will take centre stage, as usual.
This bloke has been mute for four years and now says he wants to say something. Unbelievable, not fair dinkum. It can not happen. I for one will not believe it until i hear it.